Published: Saturday, February 25, 2012 at 6:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, February 24, 2012 at 8:28 p.m.

Florida begins life without scrappy reserve power forward Will Yeguete today at Georgia.

The 6-foot-7 Yeguete, who underwent successful left foot surgery Friday, emerged as UF's most versatile defender and one of its best rebounders (6.3 rpg). But Florida coach Billy Donovan wants his team to view Yeguete's season-ending injury as a challenge rather than a devastating blow to UF's seven- to eight-player rotation.

“We need to become better than we were,” Donovan said. “That's what I hope we'll try to do, to take on that challenge. Let's try to be a better team than we were with Will.

“And I think that's what you are looking for, is when somebody goes down, can somehow enough guys step up that maybe we can make up for that and get a little better.”

Donovan said Yeguete has been fitted with a boot that he will wear for the next four to six weeks and that there's “no chance” he'll come back the rest of the season.

“I'm excited about going forward with the guys we have,” Donovan said. “It's going to be a little bit different. It's going to be a little bit unique. I somewhat have a vision of how I want us to play. I think I've got to try to somehow get that vision to them, because it's maybe a little bit different than the vision we had when the season started.”

That vision includes playing more four-guard lineups, with Erik Murphy sometimes playing center. That would give Florida five 3-point shooters on the floor at the same time, allowing for the floor to be spaced and more lanes to open up toward the basket.

“We just started some stuff (Thursday) in practice putting in two sets, four guards and me at the five (center),” Murphy said. “That's going to take some adjusting and getting used to but I think it will be really good for us.”

Donovan said that playing Murphy and Patric Young at center with four guards also will help preserve their minutes. Young has been dealing with ankle tendinitis since January and has been most effective playing 25 to 30 minutes per game.

“We're not talking about Patric going from 25, 26 minutes to 36 minutes,” Donovan said. “It might be 25-26 to 28-29. I don't see them (Young and Murphy) having to make a huge jump in terms of their minutes because I do think we have enough depth on our team.”

Yeguete also was valuable at the front of UF's press because of his ability to get steals and alter in bounds passing. Earlier in the season, Donovan compared Yeguete to former Gator forward Brent Wright in his ability to defend in front of the press (ironically, Wright also suffered a broken foot in his college career).

With Yeguete out, Donovan said the Gators are capable of pressing as much with Casey Prather and Bradley Beal in front of the press.

“With Will, you are taking a guy out of the press right now that really has a great understanding and is really, really good at it,” Donovan said. “Casey is capable of doing it, so is Brad but are they going to do it the level he did it at? I don't know but we can still do some things.”

For size, Donovan said he can turn to 6-foot-9 redshirt freshman forward Cody Larson. Donovan said he's comfortable with Larson defensively, but that Larson has yet to emerge as an offensive threat.

“Cody's gotten a lot better since last year.” Murphy said. “He's continuing to improve throughout the season. He's getting more experience. He's a physical guy, plays hard, puts his body in plays, does the right things. Right now we really need everybody to come together and step up.”

FREE THROWS: Donovan said seven different players were in the training room dealing with various bumps and bruises. Backup guard Scottie Wilbekin has a hyper-extended knee while Larson has a bursa sack behind his knee that's limited him in practices. Young (ankle), Murphy (knee) and Mike Rosario (hip pointer) also are dealing with minor injuries. “It's not anything that's preventing these guys from playing,” Donovan said. “But it's enough that's hampering them that you could tell they are somewhat banged up.”

FLORIDA PROBABLE STARTERS

G Kenny Boynton 6-2 Jr. 17.6 ppg, 2.6 apg

G Erving Walker 5-8 Sr. 12.4 ppg, 4.9 apg

G Bradley Beal 6-3 Fr. 14.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg

F Erik Murphy 6-10 Jr. 10.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg

C Patric Young 6-9 So. 10.4 ppg, 6.2 rpg

GEORGIA PROBABLE STARTERS

G Dustin Ware 5-11 Sr. 7.9 ppg, 2.2 rpg

G Gerald Robinson 6-1 Sr. 14.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg

G Kentavious Caldwell-Pope 6-5 Fr. 13.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg

F Marcus Thornton 6-7 So. 3.0 ppg, 5.1 rpg

F Donte Williams 6-9 So. 7.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg

Notes: Florida has won 15 of its last 17 meetings against Georgia. The Gators beat Georgia 70-48 in its first meeting last Jan. 12, which started a seven-game winning streak. … Florida is 9-5 against Georgia under Billy Donovan. … The Gators lead the SEC and the nation in 3-pointers made at 10.3 per game. Florida has made 10 or more 3-pointers in 19 of 28 games this season. …Georgia has won two of its three SEC games at home this season, with wins over Tennessee and Arkansas. … Georgia forward Nemanja Djurisic is averaging 6.9 ppg and scored 14 points in his first meeting against the Gators.… With 273 3-pointers, Walker is just one shy of tying Brett Nelson (274) for second on UF's all-time 3-point list. Lee Humphrey holds the school record for 3-pointers made with 288.

Three things to watch

1. Banging the boards

The loss of Will Yeguete is a tough blow, but Florida at least will have a chance to ease into the transition of life without its rebounding co-leader. Georgia ranks 10th in the SEC in rebounding margin (minus-1.3). There should be opportunities inside for Patric Young, Bradley Beal and Erik Murphy to get offensive rebounds and putbacks against an undersized Georgia frontline.

2. Staying hot

Florida has been shooting lights-out from the perimeter the last two games, shooting 54.5 percent from 3-point range (24-44) in back-to-back wins over Arkansas and Auburn. Florida is facing another favorable size matchup in the backcourt which should allow Erving Walker and Kenny Boynton to get cleaner looks shooting over Georgia's guards. It will be important for Florida to knock down some shots early to space the floor and open lanes to the basket.

3. Looking ahead

Florida beat Georgia 70-48 in its first meeting and the rival Bulldogs have struggled to a 3-10 SEC record. Still, Florida coach Billy Donovan doesn't expect his team to be looking ahead to big games next week against Vanderbilt and Kentucky. “Our guys realize right now that we lost one of the key players to our team (Will Yeguete) and a lot of guys are going to have to step up,” Donovan said. “We're playing a team on the road and it's always difficult to play on the road.”

Three questions

1. Can Patric Young and Erik Murphy dominate the glass and get second-chance points?

2. Can Florida stay hot by knocking down some perimeter shots and open up lanes to the basket?

3. Can other bench players step up to help compensate for the absence of Will Yeguete?

<p>Florida begins life without scrappy reserve power forward Will Yeguete today at Georgia.</p><p>The 6-foot-7 Yeguete, who underwent successful left foot surgery Friday, emerged as UF's most versatile defender and one of its best rebounders (6.3 rpg). But Florida coach Billy Donovan wants his team to view Yeguete's season-ending injury as a challenge rather than a devastating blow to UF's seven- to eight-player rotation.</p><p>“We need to become better than we were,” Donovan said. “That's what I hope we'll try to do, to take on that challenge. Let's try to be a better team than we were with Will. </p><p>“And I think that's what you are looking for, is when somebody goes down, can somehow enough guys step up that maybe we can make up for that and get a little better.”</p><p>Donovan said Yeguete has been fitted with a boot that he will wear for the next four to six weeks and that there's “no chance” he'll come back the rest of the season.</p><p>“I'm excited about going forward with the guys we have,” Donovan said. “It's going to be a little bit different. It's going to be a little bit unique. I somewhat have a vision of how I want us to play. I think I've got to try to somehow get that vision to them, because it's maybe a little bit different than the vision we had when the season started.”</p><p>That vision includes playing more four-guard lineups, with Erik Murphy sometimes playing center. That would give Florida five 3-point shooters on the floor at the same time, allowing for the floor to be spaced and more lanes to open up toward the basket.</p><p>“We just started some stuff (Thursday) in practice putting in two sets, four guards and me at the five (center),” Murphy said. “That's going to take some adjusting and getting used to but I think it will be really good for us.”</p><p>Donovan said that playing Murphy and Patric Young at center with four guards also will help preserve their minutes. Young has been dealing with ankle tendinitis since January and has been most effective playing 25 to 30 minutes per game.</p><p>“We're not talking about Patric going from 25, 26 minutes to 36 minutes,” Donovan said. “It might be 25-26 to 28-29. I don't see them (Young and Murphy) having to make a huge jump in terms of their minutes because I do think we have enough depth on our team.”</p><p>Yeguete also was valuable at the front of UF's press because of his ability to get steals and alter in bounds passing. Earlier in the season, Donovan compared Yeguete to former Gator forward Brent Wright in his ability to defend in front of the press (ironically, Wright also suffered a broken foot in his college career). </p><p>With Yeguete out, Donovan said the Gators are capable of pressing as much with Casey Prather and Bradley Beal in front of the press.</p><p>“With Will, you are taking a guy out of the press right now that really has a great understanding and is really, really good at it,” Donovan said. “Casey is capable of doing it, so is Brad but are they going to do it the level he did it at? I don't know but we can still do some things.”</p><p>For size, Donovan said he can turn to 6-foot-9 redshirt freshman forward Cody Larson. Donovan said he's comfortable with Larson defensively, but that Larson has yet to emerge as an offensive threat.</p><p>“Cody's gotten a lot better since last year.” Murphy said. “He's continuing to improve throughout the season. He's getting more experience. He's a physical guy, plays hard, puts his body in plays, does the right things. Right now we really need everybody to come together and step up.”</p><p><b>FREE THROWS:</b> Donovan said seven different players were in the training room dealing with various bumps and bruises. Backup guard Scottie Wilbekin has a hyper-extended knee while Larson has a bursa sack behind his knee that's limited him in practices. Young (ankle), Murphy (knee) and Mike Rosario (hip pointer) also are dealing with minor injuries. “It's not anything that's preventing these guys from playing,” Donovan said. “But it's enough that's hampering them that you could tell they are somewhat banged up.”</p><p><b>FLORIDA PROBABLE STARTERS</b></p><p>G Kenny Boynton 6-2 Jr. 17.6 ppg, 2.6 apg</p><p>G Erving Walker 5-8 Sr. 12.4 ppg, 4.9 apg</p><p>G Bradley Beal 6-3 Fr. 14.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg</p><p>F Erik Murphy 6-10 Jr. 10.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg</p><p>C Patric Young 6-9 So. 10.4 ppg, 6.2 rpg</p><p><b>GEORGIA PROBABLE STARTERS</b></p><p>G Dustin Ware 5-11 Sr. 7.9 ppg, 2.2 rpg</p><p>G Gerald Robinson 6-1 Sr. 14.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg</p><p>G Kentavious Caldwell-Pope 6-5 Fr. 13.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg</p><p>F Marcus Thornton 6-7 So. 3.0 ppg, 5.1 rpg</p><p>F Donte Williams 6-9 So. 7.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg</p><p><b>Notes:</b> Florida has won 15 of its last 17 meetings against Georgia. The Gators beat Georgia 70-48 in its first meeting last Jan. 12, which started a seven-game winning streak. … Florida is 9-5 against Georgia under Billy Donovan. … The Gators lead the SEC and the nation in 3-pointers made at 10.3 per game. Florida has made 10 or more 3-pointers in 19 of 28 games this season. …Georgia has won two of its three SEC games at home this season, with wins over Tennessee and Arkansas. … Georgia forward Nemanja Djurisic is averaging 6.9 ppg and scored 14 points in his first meeting against the Gators.… With 273 3-pointers, Walker is just one shy of tying Brett Nelson (274) for second on UF's all-time 3-point list. Lee Humphrey holds the school record for 3-pointers made with 288.</p><p><b>Three things to watch</b></p><p><b>1. Banging the boards</b></p><p>The loss of Will Yeguete is a tough blow, but Florida at least will have a chance to ease into the transition of life without its rebounding co-leader. Georgia ranks 10th in the SEC in rebounding margin (minus-1.3). There should be opportunities inside for Patric Young, Bradley Beal and Erik Murphy to get offensive rebounds and putbacks against an undersized Georgia frontline.</p><p><b>2. Staying hot</b></p><p>Florida has been shooting lights-out from the perimeter the last two games, shooting 54.5 percent from 3-point range (24-44) in back-to-back wins over Arkansas and Auburn. Florida is facing another favorable size matchup in the backcourt which should allow Erving Walker and Kenny Boynton to get cleaner looks shooting over Georgia's guards. It will be important for Florida to knock down some shots early to space the floor and open lanes to the basket.</p><p><b>3. Looking ahead</b></p><p>Florida beat Georgia 70-48 in its first meeting and the rival Bulldogs have struggled to a 3-10 SEC record. Still, Florida coach Billy Donovan doesn't expect his team to be looking ahead to big games next week against Vanderbilt and Kentucky. “Our guys realize right now that we lost one of the key players to our team (Will Yeguete) and a lot of guys are going to have to step up,” Donovan said. “We're playing a team on the road and it's always difficult to play on the road.”</p><p><b>Three questions</b></p><p>1. Can Patric Young and Erik Murphy dominate the glass and get second-chance points?</p><p>2. Can Florida stay hot by knocking down some perimeter shots and open up lanes to the basket?</p><p>3. Can other bench players step up to help compensate for the absence of Will Yeguete?</p><p><i>Go to Gatorsports.com after the game for Kevin Brockway's answers.</i></p>